Principal, police give conflicting info on severity of ‘threat’ at an FCPS school
The performance of a Fayette County Public Schools police officer during a “very intense threat of danger” at Tates Creek Middle School last week was praised in a FCPS police department post Monday.
Officer Jeremy Moore was celebrated because he “responded within minutes and took appropriate action,” and while FCPS police didn’t specify what the threat involved, it followed an incident in which a student brought a gun to school.
The “threat of danger” differed from what Principal Kelly Sirginnis told families in a letter detailing the incident. Sirginnis said the student had no intent to harm others, but emphasized weapons can’t be brought onto campus.
“While the student possessing this item had no intent of harming their classmates or staff, dangerous weapons are strictly prohibited at school,” Sirginnis said. “The item was quickly removed by the Fayette County Public Schools Police Department and appropriate disciplinary, legal and supportive action was taken.”
Parent Nicole Simpson is concerned about the contradiction between school officials, and thought the post from police painted a much different picture of the incident than what Sirginnis said.
“So which one is it? A threat or not,” Simpson said.
Simpson said she’s concerned there aren’t metal detectors at the school, and she doesn’t feel like FCPS provides proper information about incidents.
“I believe the principal tried to downplay the incident to us, and I think it was done so they don’t have to take accountability for the incidents that continue to happen,” Simpson told the Herald-Leader Tuesday.
FCPS officials did not immediately comment when contacted Tuesday.
Officer celebrated for ‘eliminating any danger’
The school police department post lauded Moore for “utilizing his ability to investigate and his ability to build positive connections with students,” and said he “gained valuable information on a particular threat that posed a danger to the school.”
“Without hesitation, he took action and safely resolved the situation, eliminating any danger to the campus,” the post said.
In her letter to families, principal Kelly Sirginnis had said the student brought a handgun to Lexington’s Tates Creek Middle School.
“While the student possessing this item had no intent of harming their classmates or staff, dangerous weapons are strictly prohibited at school,” Sirginnis said. “The item was quickly removed by the Fayette County Public Schools Police Department and appropriate disciplinary, legal and supportive action was taken.”
Sirginnis said in her letter that the problem was resolved quickly.
“The situation was resolved within 10 minutes of the initial report. All students and staff are safe,” Sirginnis said.
The gun was never displayed, and there is no indication that other students were aware of its presence, Sirginnis said.